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Burke County overcomes slow start to rout Richmond Academy

The way Burke County’s defense was playing, the Bears just needed the offense to wake up.

The way Donquell Green and his backfield mates usually run, it didn’t take too long.

After a slow start, Green’s big runs sparked drives and worked with a stingy Burke County defense in a 38-7 road victory Friday night.

Burke County has won six consecutive games.

“Offensively, we started off a little sluggish,” Bears coach Eric Parker said.

“But the defense was playing well and once we got the offense going, we played well all around.”

After the first two drives ended with punts, the Bears’ offense ignited when Green broke free for a 33-yard run. Burke County (6-1 overall, 3-0 subregion) scored on the next play.

On the next offensive series, Green shook free of a tackler for a 48-yard run. Again, the Bears finished the drive with a touchdown to take a 14-0 lead into halftime.

With the defense making stops – the Musketeers had 145 yards on offense – the lead kept growing as Antonio Harold, Malik Lee and Donqual Young joined Green to star in the ground game.

The group combined for 341 yards.

Not surprisingly, Green was the primary rusher, but Richmond Academy initially clogged holes in back-to-back stops to start the game. But Green wasn’t going to quit running, and with his speed and the blocking, the Burke County rushing attack soon took off.

Richmond Academy (2-4, 1-1) was also focused on its ground game offensively, mostly feeding the ball to C.J. Welcher, who showed his ability to avoid tacklers in rushing for 81 rushing yards, but 61 of those came in the first half.

With the Bears forcing several punts – and even blocking one thanks to Lee – Richmond Academy didn’t score until a little more than two minutes remained, when a 41-yard touchdown strike from Tony Daggett to Devon Corbo ended the Musketeers’ night with something positive.

“We just played one of the better teams in the state,” Richmond Academy coach Chris Hughes said. “But we feel good going into our final three games.”

BURKE COUNTY 38, RICHMOND ACAD. 7

PLAY OF THE GAME: His offense in need of a big play, Bears quarterback Donquell Green got free for a 33-yard run on the last play of the first quarter. Burke County got its first touchdown the next play.

STAR OF THE GAME: The Burke County defense didn’t give up a point until slightly more than two minutes were left in the game.

WHY BURKE COUNTY WON: The Bears’ defense was dominant and the rushing game put up almost 350 yards.

WHY RICHMOND ACADEMY LOST: After a good start, the Musketeers just couldn’t keep up.